Isaiahchapter 48

22 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 360 cross-references outward and receives 337 — heaviest partner: Isaiah.

Chapter summary

The house of Jacob is summoned to hear a rebuke: they swear by Jehovah's name and claim the holy city, "but not in truth." Jehovah declared the "former things" in advance precisely because Israel is obstinate — neck an iron sinew, brow brass — so no idol could claim the credit; now he announces "new things," created now and hidden until this moment. For his own name's sake he defers anger, having refined Israel in the furnace of affliction, not as silver. "I am the first, I also am the last" grounds the claim; the one Jehovah loves will perform his pleasure on Babylon. In verse 16 the speaker says, "the Lord Jehovah hath sent me, and his Spirit." After the lament "Oh that thou hadst hearkened" — peace like a river — comes the command: go forth from Babylon, with the wilderness rock-water recalled, ending, "There is no peace to the wicked."

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Prophecy · Isaiah — see the Isaiah overview for the book's full setting.

1 Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah; who swear by the name of Jehovah, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness

2 (for they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; Jehovah of hosts is his name):

3 I have declared the former things from of old; yea, they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them: suddenly I did them, and they came to pass.

4 Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;

5 therefore I have declared it to thee from of old; before it came to pass I showed it thee; lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.

6 Thou hast heard it; behold all this; and ye, will ye not declare it? I have showed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, which thou hast not known.

7 They are created now, and not from of old; and before this day thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I knew them.

8 Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from of old thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou didst deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.

9 For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.